After being rebuffed in an attempt to locate in a residential area, Muslims have obtained approval to build the Antelope Valley's first mosque in an industrial area of Lancaster. The 120-family Islamic Center of the North Valley still faces the task of raising more than half of the expected $400,000 expense to construct a building for its Friday prayers and Sunday classes. "It's not going to be easy in a recession," said Walid Farrukh, the Lebanese-born project manager who lives in Palmdale.

After being rebuffed in an attempt to locate in a residential area, Muslims have obtained approval to build the Antelope Valley's first mosque in an industrial area of Lancaster. The 120-family Islamic Center of the North Valley still faces the task of raising more than half of the expected $400,000 expense to construct a building for its Friday prayers and Sunday classes. "It's not going to be easy in a recession," said Walid Farrukh, the Lebanese-born project manager who lives in Palmdale.